Schools Books


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Schools Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Schools
Pride's Challenge (Thoroughbred)
Published in School & Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (1999-10)
Author: Joanna Campbell
List price: $13.50
New price: $11.48
Used price: $2.77

Average review score:

One of the Best!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-30
I really think this book is one of the best, and not just in the TB series! Samantha is my favorite character, and Pride is my favorite horse! This is a must read in the thoroughbred series and for horse lovers of all kind! It has unexpecting turns, unlike some of the other TB books. Whether you pay 1 penny or 100 dollars for this book, it is definately worth it!

One Of The Best
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-07-09
In Prides Challenge, Ashleigh Griffen and Mike Reesse are ingaged and Pride has a new rival. After Pride has recovered from his injury, he is ready to head back on to the track. But Pride wont be alone, Lord Ainsley, Brad and Lavinia's new thoroughbred is on his way to the winners circle himself. Pride is doing very well in training and his workouts so he is entered in another race and Samantha Mclean and Ashleigh Griffen agree that Pride is back to business. Pride is tough competion again, adn so is Lord Ainsley. Fianlly Ashleigh and Samantha both agree that Pride is ready for the three year old test, the Tripple Crown. But Lord Ainsley is right behind them. But now Wonders Pride and Lord Ainsley will race against eachother. But now, Ashleigh is to busy plannign her wedding but will still ride Pride but now its up to Samantha to make sure the lookalike of Ashleighs Wonder (Wonders Pride) does is his best out there. But can Pride beat one of the other best colts in the country of Kentucky? Im sure u will love this book. And if u want to talk im at Blades60@aol.com

ABSALUTELY A GREAT BOOK by Horsegal
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-15
This is such a happy,sad,blood boiling,heart thrilling book.Lavinia.UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY. Sorry about that. But I had to get it out of my sistem.Well anyway back to the story.Pride is such a great horse. But I don't see why Samantha had to kick Ashleigh out of the picture.Ashleigh only had four books all to herself.so not fair.Lavinia acts like she knows everything there is to know about horses.Like she would know.She is so stupid.Well I hope you enjoy this book.BY

Another breath-taking adventure in a series worth saving
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-17
A. Alger's review says it all. Unfortunately, Harper Collins has decided to end the series abruptly after #72. With such a dedicated following and online fan base with members from all over the world, this is a classic and beloved series that has inspired many people and provided horse fans with vicarious thrills and adventure. Ashleigh saved Wonder, now it's up to you to help save Thoroughbred. [...].

Thoroughbred's Challenge -- Save the Series!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-21
I first read Pride's Challenge when I was in second grade. I bought it at a book fair because it had a horse on the cover and reading about a sixteen-year-old sounded glamorous and exciting. Well, I read the book cover-to-cover more times than I can count; I can even still recite the majority of the first chapter (and, bizarrely enough, Joanna Campbell's bio) by heart. It wasn't long before I just had to get the rest of the series. Now, ten years later, I'm still a devoted fan and I still count down the days to the release of the latest book.

Thoroughbred was always a higher caliber than the other horse series I read in elementary and middle school. I was absolutely drawn into the world of Ashleigh, Samantha, and yes, even Cindy. This book was what started it all, though. The author does justice to all her characters -- human and horse. Pride is a racehorse so believeable you keep waiting to hear about him on TV, so incredible you get goosebumps reading some of the racing scenes, and so lovable you want him to come live in your backyard. The storyline is quick-paced with plenty of twists to keep you thrilled to the end. Most of all, though, it sparkles with realism and with candor. I feel like I know the people I read about and that Whitebrook Farm really is hidden somewhere in those Kentucky hills.

That's why I was so upset to hear that Harper Collins plans to end the series after #72 is published. I have been a loyal fan for ten years -- and I know I'm not alone in that. So if you'd like to help save this series, one that has molded the dreams of horse-crazy girls for many a generation, then please check out the Whitebrook Farm [...] website. Sign the petition, send the publisher an email, drop them a letter in the mail. But most of all: do SOMETHING. Pride has his challenge. Now this is ours.

Schools
Pursuing Amy (Replica)
Published in School & Library Binding by Tandem Library (1999-10)
Author: Marilyn Kaye
List price: $12.70

Average review score:

replica pursuing Amy.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-18
Amy Candler is the perfect person. She was made from many other people. She hasn't felt more alone than she does right now. She can't tell anyone her secret, not even her best friend.

Throughout the book, Amy is trying to figure out who she really is. Until one day, her mother surprised her and she met the scientist that had genetically enhanced her: eye sight, ability to run, and lift things a lot heavier than any other normal 12 year old girl.

In my opinion, the book was great because it doesn't just come out and say what the problem is, you kind of have to guess what is going on. I think it's more like a mystery book.

The only thing that I didn't like was the way the author wrote the book. She wouldn't let you know it was another day until you were half way into the paragraph.

I would recommend this book for young girls that are trying to find who they really are.

Amy is not human!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-13

Have you ever had the feeling someone's watching you? And you know that your life is in danger even in your own house? Well in the book "Pursuing Amy"
That's how Amy feels every day of her life. But for her it's not just a feeling, its reality.

Amy is not a normal human, actually she's not really human at all. She is a project. Her and seven others exactly like her. This was defiantly an interesting twist to the book. Amy also has numerous problems. She is in desperate need for someone to talk to. Her and her best friend get in a huge fight. Then when she finally finds someone who understands her and someone to talk to, he is murdered. I found this part of the book very interesting, yet depressing.

Amy's mom finally gets a boyfriend Amy approves of. But he turned out to be a horrible person, who tries to kill Amy's mom and capture Amy. He's one of those people who are after Amy. Now Amy's mom is in the hospital dyeing. I couldn't put the book down when I started reading this part.

Amy has no where to go. What can she do? You can find out the shocking background of Amy's life, and what she's going to do about it by reading the book "Pursuing Amy". This book will have you at the edge of your seat wondering what's going to happen next. You will not be disappointed I guarantee it!

Action packed
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-29
Amy finally saw Dr.J. Yes! This book was sad, action packed ,and had trusting friends. This is a book that has a moral for everyone to understand.

A known Winner by Kaitlyn Nileson
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-18
This book was the second best book ever. I think the first one was more adventurous though. This book was full of drama and helpful hints on life. I think that 10-13 year old girls should read this. It talks a little bit about relations and a little bit about becoming closer friends to your so called mom. There are secrets in life that thet are best kept hidden. If it doesn't need to be known then leave it alone. Sometimes you need to tell someone though so you can feel a little relieved and it's not a big burden on your shoulders. I like this book because it added a lot to the first book.

A known Winner by Kaitlyn Nileson
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-18
This book was the second best book ever. I think the first one was more adventurous though. This book was full of drama and helpful hints on life. I think that 10-13 year old girls should read this. It talks a little bit about relations and a little bit about becoming closer friends to your so called mom. There are secrets in life that thet are best kept hidden. If it doesn't need to be known then leave it alone. Sometimes you need to tell someone though so you can feel a little relieved and it's not a big burden on your shoulders. I like this book because it added a lot to the first book.

Schools
Relatives Came
Published in Hardcover by Amer School Pub (1985-06)
Author: Cynthia Rylant
List price: $40.45

Average review score:

Feel good story that my kids love
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-19
This is one of my favorite books and also of my daughters. The illustrations are beautiful, and the heart warming story of family visits, appreciation and love just makes you feel good. I like this book so much that I will add more Cynthia Rylant books to our home library.

I've given it as a gift twice
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-31
We're from a large family and the images and descriptions of the family reunion really touched home. I've given it to two different sets of nieces and nephews, and hope they'll have the same great stories to tell about our family that Cynthia Rylant relates.

I love this book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-25
I bought this book to use for a discussion about how authors can paint pictures with their words. My first graders loved this book and we were able to talk about our favorite parts in the book and all the children can relate because they have either gone to visit relatives or relatives have come to visit them. They loved the pictures and the story!

Delightful Story
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-25
I love this book, especially for kids with big families. As an adult from a big family it is equally fun to read. This account of the journey and the visit at the relatives' house is written from a refreshingly honest child's point of view. A completely delightful read-to book. I bought a copy for all my kids with children.

The Relatives Came book review
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-11
This story is about some
family members from Virginia came down to some other relatives that lived
far away and the family from Virginia was staying for a couple of weeks. They finished with eating, playing, and hugging. At the end of the story, the family from Virginia goes back to their house, and wait `til next summer.

I liked this book because the book was about family time and this book will be good for any kid at anytime.

Schools
Up, Up, Down
Published in School & Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (2003-12)
Author: Michael Martchenko
List price: $12.10
New price: $12.10

Average review score:


Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-18
I thought that Up Up, Down was a great book. When the father fell down and his bottem was red. That anna repeats the same things. The baby brother because when he said no!! there were great. Yes in the store I always repeated the same thing. All kids read this book!!!

wonderful book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-18
I think it was a wonderful book because the book was funny. My favorite part was when Anna fell down, because it was funny. The funniest part was when Anna said, I'm the queen of the castle mommy is a dirty rascal. Anna was my favorite character, because Anna was the funniest character in the book. The illustrations were very wonderful and colorful. I recommend all children should read this book.

THE COOLEST BOOK EVER
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-18
I liked this book because it was a funny story. My favorite part was when Anna said, ouch my favorite character is Anna but I thought this book is all ages to read this book yes, I remembered something about my live. So have fun and buy this book.

It's a great book for everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-18
I thought the book Up, Up, Down was a great book. My favorite part was when Anna repeated what their parents said to her. Also, I thought the funniest part was when Anna bundled up her parents with humongous band-aids. My favorite character is Anna because I thought she was very funny and always fooling around.

marvelous robert munsch!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-18
My favorite part of Up, Up, Down is when Anna parents told her, "Don't climb." The funniest part was when Anna sang, "I'm the king of the castle, mommy's a dirty rascal." My favorite character was Anna. I recommend this book to kids in elementary school.

Schools
Zoom (Picture Puffin Books (Sagebrush))
Published in School & Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (1998-07-30)
Author: Istvan Banyai
List price: $15.60
New price: $13.99
Used price: $98.79

Average review score:

Great book for Business Leaders !
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-22
I use the book ZOOM as a way to show business leaders how their perspectives can change realities. Because it's so affordable, I buy the book in bulk and send it out with personal notes after business leadership classes to help reinforce the training's overall messages on perspective. If you lead people, add ZOOM to your business library - it's fun, easy to understand, and very transferable to the adult learning environment.

The book with no words
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-10
My daughter, aged 4, was a little bit confused at the book when it first arrived. She didn't like that it didn't have words. After "reading" it with her a couple of times, it has fast become one of her favorites.
More then once I have found her in bed "reading" this book by herself and she will still pick this book on occasion for one of her bedtime stories.

Quiet time
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-25
My boys, ages 5 and 7, love this book. It is the last book we look at each night. They read about two books and then want to look at the Zoom book for "quiet time" before they put their heads on the pillows. They have not grown tired of it. It brings such an amazing perspective to life! Some things aren't quite what they seem! Great lesson!

Review: Zoom (Banyai)
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-02
The book came in a very good condition and precisely at the time Amazon estimated. I was also satisfied with the careful packaging of the parcel. Well done!

fun, fascinating
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-24
A friend gave me this book when I was in a super slump. I was amused and amazed as the pictures zoomed away from each other how they put both objects and actions into perspective, not only in terms of size, but also in terms of time and space. The artist cleverly starts with a rooster, a symbol of cockiness, and shows just where he really stands in the giant scheme of things.

Schools
Betsy-Tacy (Betsy and Tacy Books)
Published in School & Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (1999-10)
Author: Maud Hart Lovelace
List price: $14.40
New price: $10.40
Used price: $72.07

Average review score:

Betsy-Tacy's magical world
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-10
My daughter and I have LOVED sharing Betsy-Tacy as a read-aloud. The way that the author weaves the girls' fantasies right into the chapter is a perfect illustration of just how real imaginary play is to children (or at least used to be when kids were allowed to imagine). Beware, parents: Have a hankie on hand for the Easter Eggs chapter. I had tears running in rivulets down my cheeks. The only sad thing about Betsy-Tacy is that my daughter wishes that she had a kindred spirit of her own as they do. Highly recommended!

my favorite childhood series
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-05
I was introduced to Betsy and Tacy at 5 or 6 by my mom. She adored the series growing in the 50/60s. I grew up in the 70s/80s and fell in love with Betsy, Tacy and Tib. I have 3 daughters that now love these books also. If I had to name the best gift I ever received, I would name my Betsy books. I read the books at just the right time in my life. I would look forward to receiving my Besty/Tacy book at Christmas. When I had my 1st child, my mother gave me the final book in the series when Betsy also has a baby. I was overjoyed yet sad because I knew it was the end of the books.
These books were so important to me growing up that I still think of the characters often. They are wonderful classic stories of a simple time and true friendships.

Faithful audio rendition of a favorite book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-11
B-T fans rejoice! Sutton Foster acquits herself well, and brings the characters and Maud's distinctive writerly voice alive in her reading of B-T.

Tired of reading the book over and over and over to your children? This audiobook can take over the chore. Or guarantee that you arrive at work in a good mood, by listening during your commute.

Don't hesitate, just get it before it goes out of print. Let's hope they issue more of the books on CD too.

Charming!
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-17
What a delightful book! I cannot believe I missed these books as a child; I picked them up to read with my daughters on a friend's recommendation, and they are a treasure. They remind me of so many other classic children's books -- Lois Lenski, Carolyn Haywood, Beverly Cleary, Eleanor Estes. Not only are the stories sweet and captivating, they take me back to a place where life was so much simpler. It's a return to innocence, and I loved the journey. I would highly recommend these books for little girls; they'll make new friends that they'll cherish for a lifetime.

Wonderful series of books, however...
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-15
I was recently reminded of the Betsy-Tacy books I loved so much when I was a young girl. You can not imagine my horror at seeing the current editions' illustrations of the girls, though. Part of the original books' charm was the simple illustrations. Whoever decided to change them should be ashamed. Ashamed and fired. Seriously.

Contact me if you want to join a campaign to have the real drawings returned to future editions of these timeless classics so many of us loved so much.

Schools
The Boys Start The War
Published in School & Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (2002-01)
Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
List price: $14.65
New price: $12.45

Average review score:

A Very Funny War
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-06
Wally Hatford is a 10 year old boy who started a war between the Hatfords and the Malloys. He has three brothers, Peter, Josh, and Jake. The Malloys just moved in from Ohio to the Bensons' (The Hatfords' best friends) old house, and the boys want to want to oust the Malloy girls, Caroline, Beth, and Eddie (Edith) out of Buckman.

Wally is in Mrs. Applebaum's class, right in front of Caroline, the wanna be actress. He is the mastermind for the boys in the war between the Hatfords and the Malloys. Wally wants peace between the boys and girls to see how long it takes for a waffle box to travel down the river, to jump off a tree, and to climb a church steeple.

I could relate to Wally. He is like a kid in my class named Jake. Jake, like Wally, can think up of ideas to win a war against anybody, boy, girl, or parent. Jake also is curious of just things in normal life.

The Boys Start the War is a book just for children seeing that adults aren't interested in wars between boys and girls. It is easy to understand all of the humor and vocabulary in the book. I loved the book and went on to read the whole series.

The War is barly Begining
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-18
The Hatford boys were looking out the window with their binoculars waiting to see three boys moving in their friends house across the river.When they see their girls moving in and not boys.They makea plan to sent the Malloy girls back to Ohio.Throwing dead animals to dead bodies.Playing bad tricks on the girls.Will the girls get back on them?Is the war barly begining?Are the girls going to get even with the boys. This is a really funny book to read.

The Boys Start the War By:Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Reviewed by: D. Kim Period1
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-31
This book is a hilarious book. The Hatford brother's best friends, the Bensons, moved away from Buckman to Georgia. The boys were expecting 3 boys to move into the Benson's house, but they were surprised when they found out that it was actually 3 girls. The Hatford brothers decided that they would try to make that the Malloy sisters so miserable that they would want to move back to Ohio and the Bensons would move back because no one would rent their house. The boys are in for a surprise when they have to go against the Malloy sister's cleverness. The pranks go on from dead fish to dead bodies and from floating heads to washing windows. The boys and the girls keep going at each other. They both can't tell their parents because then they would have to tell about all their other pranks. The war goes on and on to other sequels.

I like book because of all the pranks. The pranks are all thought up cleverly but something always goes wrong. A quote that shows something going wrong is, "`You got the flashlight?' Jake asked Wally breathlessly. `Heck, no. You were carrying it.' `I thought you grabbed it,' Josh said. `Someone did!' But that someone was already inside the house." This shows how the Hatfords lost their flashlight while pretending to be a floating head outside Beth Malloy's window.

Another reason I liked this book is because it's a humor book. I don't read many humor books but this book made me laugh. This book is filled with many hilarious events. Caroline Malloy draws a funny picture of her teacher but Wally manages to steal it and blackmails her. The things that go wrong are also funny. Just when one side thinks they've won, the other side finds a way to get even. There are many other books in the series and this is only the first.

My favorite part of the book is at the end of the book when the final prank is played. When the girls go to get Caroline from the Hatford's tool shed, they think they won because they made Jake say to them, "Your faithful, obedient servant." As they were leaving Wally comes out with Mrs. Hatford saying that the girls were coming over to help peel the bushels of apples the Hatfords had picked. I thought this was hilarious and was a great way to end the book to keep you hooked.

Funny, rambunctious, and just plain silly!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-16
Just when the Hatford boys were expecting three boys to move into the house across the river the Malloy girls arrived instead. Wally and his brothers decide to make Caroline and her sisters so miserable that they'll want to go back to Ohio, but they haven't counted on the ingenuity of the girls.

Cast of Characters:
Malloy's:
George Malloy-father-football coach
Jean Malloy-mother
(Edith Anne) Eddie-11-6th grade
Beth-10-5th grade
Caroline-8-4th grade
Hatford's:
Tom Hatford-father-mail man
Ellen Hatford-mother-hardware store worker
Jake and Josh-11-6th grade
Wally-9-4th grade
Peter-7-2nd grade

Boys start the war
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-11
This is really cool.It can be for 3-??yrs old.Pluse it takes places in my hometown Buckhannon,WV.The school they go to has beem turn into a building for 5-18 year olds,called Stockert Youth Center.The Mallory girls are really cool!!The Boys are trying to get the girls out of their old best friends house by playing tricks and being mean,and the girls try to show the boys the can't tear them away from Buckman wich really is Buckhannon.Read it!!Its cool!!

Schools
Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice To All Creation
Published in School & Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (2003-05)
Author: Olivia Judson
List price: $25.10
New price: $25.10

Average review score:

Sex? I don't need no stinking sex.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-30
Interesting tidbits about rare and weird creatures. However, after about 50 pages, enough is enough. The "advice to the lovelorn" format is a little too cutesy.

Ray

A fun look at evolutionary biology
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-25
This is a fun, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, look at the evolutionary biology of how many different organisms developed their genders and their reproduction methods.

One of My Favorites
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-13
Why not pick this up for your sweetie on Valentine's Day? This book has everything--its funny, scientifically accurate, and a quick read. This book is perfect for anyone who likes natural science, evolutionary biology, or learning about sex.

Very amusing and informative
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-07
Dr. Tatiana writes an advice column for members of all species and organisms that wish to write to her. She specializes in answering their questions about sex and dispensing sound advice.
For example, a yellow dung fly wants to know how to make its sperm more attractive; a fig wasp wonders why all the males she knows bite each other in half; an elephant is worried because its penis has turned green; a mother manatee frets because her son appears to prefer other males.
It turns out that homosexuality is common in the animal world, that femals are mostly promiscuous and that monogomy is exceedingly rare in nature, (she calls it one of the most deviant behaviors in biology) and that the battle of the sexes is real and can be brutal (and the females often win).
This book is a breezy read. Tatiana is a witty raconteur with an apparently inexhaustible font of knowledge about the weird and wonderful world of sex. The point of existence, she maintains, is to survive and reproduce. Genetic mutations and behavioral modifications that confer an advantage in pursuing these goals will flourish. Species that do not adapt will die out.
Though written in a jokey way, this is a serious book. It provides a wonderful picture of the sheer vast variation of the natural world and the dynamic pace of evolution.
Perfect for the teen interested in science (and sex) and for all curious adults.
For more about me and my book The Nazi Hunter: A Novel, (where the sex is tastefully done) go to www.alanelsner.com.

Sex Advice
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-26
What do you get when you cross a biology textbook, a Dr. Ruth show, a Dear Abby column, and a "Far Side" cartoon? Well, the offspring might be a brilliantly original book named Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation. This collection answers the desperate questions from species as varied as the Australian redback spider to the Louisiana black vulture with Dr. Tatiana's practical, reassuring, detailed explanations. It seems the worry on everyone's mind is, "Am I normal?"

Move over, Dr. Phil. Author Olivia Judson is an evolutionary biologist, award-winning science journalist, graduate of Stanford, and doctorate of Oxford University. Writing as Dr. Tatiana, Judson transforms both difficult scientific ideas and the sometimes-awkward discussion of the (ah-hem!) birds and the bees into accessible, often hilarious reading material. Evidently, virgin births, homosexuality, variety in size and shape of genitalia, elaborate courtship rituals, and cannibalism are not so unusual in nature as one may think. Dr. Tatiana gives her readers - be they insect, animal or human - a sigh of relief along with a much-needed chuckle at our own foibles as she explains, from her expert but kind perspective, why we do the things we do.

And herein lies the rub. While I see Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice ...as a clever way to teach a wealth of knowledge about natural science, biology, animal behavior, and genetics, I know there are many folks who would balk. The first time I read this book, I wished it could have been included in my high school science class, and fondly remembered time spent in the classrooms of Mr. and Mrs. Puskar, where quirky often served as mnemonic. But I know, especially now, that eyebrows would go way up, and corners of mouths would go way down, at the words "SEX ADVICE", let alone that the subtitle, which announces this little volume as "The Definitive Guide to the Evolutionary Biology of Sex." If "sex advice" in any classroom context is murky ground, then "evolutionary" anything these days is a cause for all-out war.

At the end of September of each year, the American Library Association reminds us to celebrate our freedom to read by marking "Banned Book Week." If Dr. Tatiana isn't on the list of banned books, I'm sure it easily could be. That makes me sad, because I don't like that learning details about the stunning array of life on earth could be seen as bad, harmful, or sinful. Whether you believe it's God's creation or just critters, they still do the things so deliciously described here. Few people have a problem with their kids watching a Discovery channel special about the Lamprologus ocellatus, a fish that lives in one of the Great Lakes of tropical Africa? Somehow, this is different. I guess the real debate comes when Dr. Tatiana (or any biology professor) starts explaining the WHY behind behavior in terms of evolution. Then, the main "worry" of living beings is not, as the cute letters of bugs and fish may suggest, about being normal, but about reproducing and spreading your genes. That does shoot a big hole in the theories espoused in Rick Warren's best-selling book, "The Purpose Driven Life". Not to mention some religious texts, like the best-selling book of all time.

I'm not going to provide a neat little resolution to this debate, not that I could even if I wrote a dissertation instead of a book review. I'm just going to recommend that you grab a copy of Dr. Tatiana and take yourself, the whimsical and weird of nature, and the evolutionary debate on the light side for a few hours. Learn a lot, laugh a lot, and celebrate the fact that in the United States, you can read about a subject from all different angles.

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home" and editor of "Of A Predatory Heart"

Schools
Eric
Published in School & Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (1999-10)
Author: Angela Grunsell
List price: $22.75
New price: $17.50
Used price: $17.49

Average review score:

This book as stayed with me
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-10
I read this book in adolescence and it has stayed with me since then--over 20 years. I have thought of Eric's story many times over the years, especially now that I have my own son. I think that I will read this book again and add it to my permanent collection. It is very touching albeit very sad.

It's not the story of how he died...it's the story of how he lived
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-27
Eric is the heartbreaking, inspirational true story of Eric Lund, a seventeen-year-old boy who is diagnosed with Leukemia just days before he is set to leave for college. This book is a memoir written by his mother, Doris Lund, about Eric's unwavering will to survive, and about how his cancer affects not only himself, but everyone around him.

When it's a story about a terminal illness, there can be no unexpected twist. As soon as I read the description on the back cover of the book, I knew basically how it was going to start and how it was going to end. But it's what happens in between that makes Eric Lund's life so interesting. What makes him different than many whose lives have thrown seemingly indomitable obstacles at them is that Eric refuses to give up. Even when the doctors, despite their greatest and heartfelt efforts, can offer only ominous warnings, it doesn't prevent Eric from living his life to the fullest. In this way, Eric isn't just the tragedy of a boy whose life deteriorates little by little. Instead, it is the motivational story of a man whose confidence, positive outlook, and exceptional will to live bring hope and joy to everyone around him.

Of course, Doris Lund doesn't leave herself out of the picture. A lot of the book is focused on her own hopes and fears instead of Eric's, on which she can only speculate in many instances. She is also honest about her rocky relationship with Eric and the difficulties that they sometimes had communicating, which is something that most teenagers and their parents can relate to. I couldn't help noticing that there are places in the book where Doris Lund interrupts the flow of her writing, perhaps with a misplaced or awkward metaphor, but then she quickly remembers that this story is beautiful and memorable on its own without too many fancy words and phrases to distract from it.

Even if you don't usually read this kind of literature, I still recommend Eric. It may be depressing, but it's not cynical, and it leaves you with the kind of hope that Eric held on to his whole life.

Elizabeth- Northern CA
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-12
I have probably read this book 8 times since it first came out. The first time I read it was shortly after my brother had been diagnosed with a form of leukemia. This book is a wonderful tribute by Doris Lund to her son, and I highly recommend it to anyone.

Moving Touching
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-10-28
This story is just a good read, and such a testimony of a young man struck with lucemia, his spirit his valor...emotions are stired to beyond words.

Sappily sentimental. Bored me to tears.
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 29 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-19
I hate to be the skunk in the five-star garden party, but I remember reading, or rather trying to read, this book when in high school some *cough* 20 years ago. I could barely get through it. Apparently I wasn't alone, because someone else had graffitoed on the (soft) cover, "This book sucks. Don't read it."

Sometimes I think there should be a moratorium on grieving parents writing about their dead offspring. Aside from one brief moment when Lund catches her son checking out girls in a hospital corridor or waiting room, I don't remember a single aspect of Eric's personality aside from "Mama's Little Angel." And although my memory is vague on this, I seem to recall the book contains a fair amount of delusional mumbo-jumbo about "God's will" ('scuse me while I barf).

If you want to read a superb book by someone who lost a child to cancer, read "Death Be Not Proud" by John Gunther. That book preserves every quirk of his late son Johnny's wry sense of humor and considerable intellect, and actually makes you regret that the son didn't live to take up the father's pen. Not only that, but Gunther deals with hard questions of mortality and loss without resorting to the kind of sticky sentimentality you'd expect from Oprah or the "women's channels" on cable TV. Cripes, even Marie Killilea's books about her handicapped (no, NOT "differently abled") daughter Karen are better than Lund's book.

The entire genre, for obvious reasons, is for the most part manipulatively mawkish, but that's what sells, I guess. If you have an "I Believe in Angels" bumper sticker on your car, Thomas Kincaide "paintings" on your walls, and every CD Whitney Houston ever recorded in your music collection, go ahead and order "Eric." You'll cry your eyes out and write a five-star review.

Schools
Every New Day
Published in School & Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (2003-07)
Author: Lauren Brooke
List price: $13.50
New price: $11.48

Average review score:

Heartland Series Books
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-13
I personally have not read these books, but I have been purchasing them for my niece for special gifts, for her. After I gave her the first three books she said she really enjoyed them, because she likes horses alot. Then when I gave her a few more she was very excited because she didn't realize there were more in the series. In March I will have given her through book 10, so there are still more to come for her. I enjoy giving the gift of reading to children.

My Favorite!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-23
In 5th grade my AG reading teacher told me about the Heartland seires I used to not like to read but these books hve changed my mined!I am on #15 but Every New Day is my absolut favorite Heartland book! I love the new charachters and the new setting!! I loved the way Huten (amys moms freind) works with his horses and helps with Murcery I wish I could Give it thousands of stars!!!!!( I will Be sooooo Sad when I Have read them all but im looking faward to the nw series Chesnut Hill!)

Really, Pretty Good!!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-02
This book is Very Good. In the book Amy takes a horse mucerey that once loved to jump but now he refuses even the tinyest jumps. When Amy can not figure out the problem she takes mucrurey to a guy (Huten) that once new Amy's mom. Amy had seen the man work his own horse and she thought they had a very speical bond. Once Amy is there it is almost time to leave and her and Huten haven't worked with mucerey one bit, instead Huten takes amy out on walkes and talkes about stuff. Read this book to find out if what happens. I would recomend this book to any horse lover(like me). I Really LOVED it.

So cool!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-08-14
This book is so cool. Whenever Amy and Ty are alone together, I just want to be with them!

go out and read it NOW!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-04-16
go out and read it NOW!!!!!! This was my all time fav tied with new beginnings. amy goes 2 the appilachians with mercury, a horse that wont jump. the reason amy takes him is because she wonders if the ppl there could help mercury. when amy gets there, huten, a native american friend of her mom (,and a wise horse healer), doesnt seem 2 do anything 2 mercury. instead he helps her understand with strange sayings. but wat huten says is really true. go out and buy it NOW!!!! :) peace out,
a huge heartland fan


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